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LESLEY WHITE - WINNER OF THE GODOLPHIN STABLE STAFF AWARD

At such a time of hard graft for every member of the racing community across the country, it was fitting that the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards were held in London last night.

The winter is quite brutal at times and the work unrelenting, so to be noiminated for one of the awards is a feat in itself. To be nominated for the Dedication to Racing category, is truly outstanding and to win takes someone very special.

Whilst one winter in racing can take its toll, 29 years working for Mick Channon might scar many an individual for life.

Lesley White has not only been with Mick since the beginning, she only went and won last night's award - a truly deserving recipient.

Lesley is a one off, totally dedicated and one of racing's true characters. She's been with Mick far longer than the bare 29 years, even babysitting Michael & Nicola Channon - some 40 years ago.

As Mick says, if she wasn't going to win the Dedication to Racing category this year, she was never going to win it. A thoroughly deserved award, particularly when you consider the calibre of opposition she was up against.

"We flew Lesley back from Dubai where she oversees the training of our runners at the Carnival especially for the ceremony. She's earnt her time out there in recent years as I'm sure she'd have told me where to go if I kept her at home in the cold and the wet every winter!

"She started when I began pre-training and breaking yearlings at our stud in Hampshire before we embarked on our adventure into training. She came with me to Devon when I was Assistant to John Baker and we moved on to Ken Cunningham-Brown's after that before training in our own right in Lambourn in 1989.

"I can't imagine life without her. She's our Travelling Head Lass, but her remit goes way beyond that.

"She's a bloody good work rider and she simply adores clipping the yearlings. That's a job I would never take away from her before she heads out to Dubai!

"She's also one of the most vocal members of staff in racing. Everyone knows Lesley and if they are new to the game, it doesn't take staff from every yard in the country very long to hear her. She's up for any challenge and willing to challenge anybody - me included.

"We've had so many rows over the years but plenty of success as well. I can trust her totally - not to do the job, that's a given - I trust her judgement of horses above all. As I've said, despite both of us fighting like cat and dog, she's often spot on in her assessment of horses and her relationship with our owners on racedays is exceptional.

"We know each others ways and things get done without discussion. All of that comes with trust and experience and I couldn't imagine a more deserving winner of the award." 

A.P McCOY - THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER

Just watching Channel 4 this afternoon, as A.P McCoy clocked up 200 winners in a season for the ninth time, was confirmation enough of his unique place at the sport's top table.

However, announcing his retirement after his win on Mr Mole in today's Game Spirit was a genuinely jaw dropping moment.

His record speaks for itself, but he is simply a man for whom the term 'Legend' was created.

We're not big fish in jumps racing, but we've seen enough to realise that every fan of National Hunt racing will be incredibly lucky if they ever see his like again.

Mick would like to add his own thoughts on the career of the ultimate professional.

"That was a shock to hear, especially on the telly, but I suppose we all had to face up to watching racing without him somewhere down the line.

"I'll leave all the meaningful platitudes to the big guns in the game - they'd know him more than me - but one instance will always stick in my mind.

"My mate Peter Taplin had a horse called Fitzwilly running in a juvenile hurdle at Newbury a couple of years ago and A.P rode him to finish third on his second run over sticks. 

"He blew up three from home, but A.P came back in to unsaddle and started to tell us what he thought, where Fitzwilly should head next and advised us to keep going into the spring because he thought he'd be a really fun novice hurdler the next year.

"This debrief seemed to go on forever! He was full of praise for a little horse who was never going to pull up any trees, but who enjoyed the game and had a future - albeit at a moderate level.

"Now I know bullshit when it's in front of me, but A.P wasn't giving me or Pete that. He had the intelligence to suss out what we were in the game for with Fitzwilly - Pete loves his racing and just wants the best for his horses and some fun along the way. A.P tapped in to that.

"When he eventually went back to weigh in, Pete, who is a man of very few words, just giggled. 'Bloody hell, that's A.P McCoy talking about my horse, I thought he'd stay here forever!'

"McCoy is straight forward, honest and completely lacking in ego. When he rode Somersby in the Clarence House last month he just came in and said, 'That was my fault, I was way too aggressive on him and went too fast'.

"What can you say to that? The bloke has ridden over 4,000 winners for ****'s sake!

"He's just brilliant to deal with and I'm sad but happy that he's retiring.

"He's more or less in one piece, despite taking a tumble half an hour after he announced his retirement and his legacy is secure.

"I'm also proud to be able to say that I've worked with A.P McCoy and envy those who know him better.

"The complete champion as a jockey and a man."

The partners in Lord Ilsley Racing were on Hodcott Down to see their horses in action last week

LORD ILSLEY RACING ARE UP AND RUNNING FOR 2015

A good time was had by all last Sunday as the partners in Lord Ilsley racing gathered at the yard to view their horses for 2015.

Now in its eighth year, Lord Ilsley Racing can look forward to NEEDLESS SHOUTING's imminent hurdling debut, whilst there are two new recruits who will be racing as juveniles in the spring.

               GED BURKE, PADDY PILLEY & MARC MIDDLEMISS WITH NEEDLESS SHOUTING

A Baltic King colt out of Regal Lustre promises to be the sharper of the two, whilst the Bushranger filly out of Miss Megs has the scope to improve as the season progresses. Mick was chuffed that the turnout was as fun as ever.

"Another typical LIR day saw plenty of friends old and new turn up and we're all very enthusiastic about the season in front of us.

                                   DANNY CREMIN WITH THE BALTIC KING COLT

"Needless Shouting has got plenty of improvement in him as he embarks on his four year old season and, as ever, we're all dreaming about finding a star with the two year olds.

"They didn't cost us much but have shown us a real appetite for the job and are bunching up the grass with the rest of the babies. It's early days I know, but as long as they get into March and April without any hold ups, we'll begin to find out if they have an engine.

                                     CHARLIE BISHOP AND THE BUSHRANGER FILLY

"Away from the horses, it was good to see that the syndicate retains its social outlook. I had to leave the Harrow after my quota, although my village spies tell me that the planning for 2015 took quite some time to complete.

"Profits in the local are soaring for this time of the year as a result."

http://mickchannon.tv/page/lord-ilsley-racing

FAREWELL TO FAMILY FRIEND TED TARBART

Sad news reached us last week when we heard of the passing of Ted Tarbart. A Southampton fanatic, Ted was taken ill at St Mary's stadium ahead of the recent Crystal Palace cup tie - his loss is felt by the entire family, especially by Mick's mum Bet.

As Mick explains, Ted was a friend to many.

"All I can say is that Ted was always there. He was an Isle of Wight man and I first got to know him through Terry Paine. Terry knew Ted as a stalwart Saints fan who followed them all over the country and we'd often get him tickets for away matches. It was the least we could do. Not only was he at every match but you try getting there when you've got to contend with the ferry timetable as well!

"As a result, he got to know my mum and dad very well, often going on holiday with them with his wife Jan.

        TED WITH BET & JACK CHANNON ON A BLISTERING AFTERNOON AT THE SEASIDE

"Mum is very upset and just wanted to make a note of how much fun Ted provided her and my old man on so many days out. Ted was chairman of the Isle of Wight Saints supporters' club for a time and a real character - always cheerful, always enthusiastic and always smiling.

"With the side struggling as often as we did back then, it was just as well! A top bloke was Ted."